Assam reports record 2,886 fresh cases, six more deaths

Guwahati,  Assam on Tuesday reported its highest single-day spike of 2,886 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state’s tally to 48,161, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Six more patients died in the state, following which the toll rose to 115, he said.

Two deaths each were reported from Tinsukia and Dibrugarh while two others from Jorhat and Sonitpur, Sarma said.

Most of the new cases were reported from Guwahati where 550 people tested positive, followed by 294 from Kamrup Rural, 213 from Nagaon and 201 from Dibrugarh.

The state tested 59,064 samples in the last 24 hours, which is its highest, the minister said.

The positivity rate is at 4.86 per cent, he added.

“In pursuit of our commitment to contain COVID 19 infections in our state, we will continue with massive testing across the state for the next ten days,” Sarma said.

There are 14,615 active cases in the state at present.So far, 33428 have recovered and three migrated out of the Assam.

Till date, 1,921 personnel of the Assam Police have tested positive for COVID-19. Of them, four have died and 1,309 recovered with 443 rejoining duty.

The Tinsukia deputy commissioner has ordered strict lockdown in Tinsukia Municipal Board and Makum Municipal Board areas. The lockdown began at 6 pm and will continue till August 11, an official said.

Essential services in these areas will remain unhindered during the period, he said.

Dhubri district administration made COVID-19 test mandatory for shop owners and their employees within the municipal areas, an official said.

The tests will be conducted from 10 am to 5 pm daily till August 8, the official added.